- Illustrated Chapter Books
- Ages 8–11
- Adventure
By Rowan and Yew
Book 2 in By Ash, Oak and ThornView the full series
The Hidden Folk return to Ash Row to unravel a riddle that might explain why their kind is fading from the world, and discover they may need help from the most unpredictable creatures of all: humans. A tender, autumnal sequel to By Ash, Oak and Thorn.
- Best for8–11
- FormatIllustrated
- Length288 pp
- Read aloud~4 hr5 min
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The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Literary
- Lyrical
Tone
- Warm
- Gentle
- Adventurous
- Bittersweet
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
As autumn draws in, Moss, Sorrel, Burnet and Dormer journey back to their old home at Ash Row, determined to solve a riddle that might explain why the Hidden Folk are slowly vanishing from the Wild World. When you are only a hand high, even a short trip is filled with danger and delight in equal measure: golden leaves and shining conkers and the reddest of berries, but also sudden storms and the first hard frost of winter. The four tiny travellers have friendship, good sense and plenty of humour on their side, but saving the future of their kind may mean doing something no Hidden Folk has dared for generations, learning to work alongside humans. Melissa Harrison's follow-up to her acclaimed debut is another exquisitely written, nature-steeped adventure, cosy and quietly moving, that celebrates the wild world on our doorstep and the small, brave acts that keep it alive.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
A gentle, autumnal illustrated chapter book for 8-11s reading independently, and a lovely read-aloud from 7. As a direct sequel it assumes you've met the Hidden Folk in book one, so start with By Ash, Oak and Thorn; the calm pace and nature theme give it warm family and adult appeal.
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- Best fit · 8–11
- Read aloud · 7–10
- Independent · 8–11
Prose load
Moderate
Visual support
Moderate
Reluctant-reader friendly
Workable
Read-aloud quality
Excellent
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Bedtime
- Reading together
- Gift-buying
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
4 / 5 · Bedtime-friendly
Sensitive-child
5 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Nature lovers
- Cosy reads
- Read aloud families
- Quiet adventures
Avoid if
- Wants fast action
- Reluctant reader
Particularly good for children who are…
- Interested in science
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
Following the hand-high Hidden Folk on an autumn quest, dodging storms and frost among conkers and berries, makes the ordinary countryside feel enormous and alive. The mystery of why their kind is disappearing gives real stakes to their tiny, brave journey home.
- Secret world
- Adventure and freedom
- Friendship and belonging
Why parents love it
Harrison deepens her miniature world with a wistful thread about a species fading away, softened by warmth and humour. The nature writing is gorgeous, the message about caring for the wild lands gently, and it stays a soothing, unhurried read-aloud for the whole family.
- Great writing
- Nostalgia
- Educational for adult too
- Bedtime appropriate
In the series
By Ash, Oak and Thorn.
2 books · open the series →
About the author
Melissa Harrison.
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